I am confused. The topic as I read it was that the OP was asking for a program to help him actually write his songs. Now we are at software to organize them after they are written. What are you actually trying to find?
Eddie, I don't think software exists that actually writes lyrics for you....yet. At least none I'm aware of that does. What I know about that's out there - you type your lyrics in and it's supposed to help keeping your lyrics organized, all your drafts together, writing tools, and stuff like contact files, pitching, etc., features for pro songwriters to write and keep track of everything - all in one program. If you check out Master Writer which is the most well known one, you'll see. It's expensive for me and I don't really need all of the features.
BWAHAHAHAHA.... Oh please....THAT blows my mind to no end....
Everybody's telling you just use paper and pencil and grey matter.....
BUT... get ready for this....
Every single one of them is using......BAND IN A BOX. How about you guys and gals go back to using tape and play your own instruments. (not a question....a statement) Then maybe you'll have some credibility when you say use paper and pencil to write songs.
Get real, this is 2016 going on 2017 shortly. Technology is here so use it. If you're writing a song and working on lyrics use whatever resource you have if you get stuck and need some help getting the idea for a new rhyme. You can dig out the old rhyming dictionary or you can load the app on your phone or computer website and type in a work and search for rhymes. If I give you a word and ask for rhymes, you might be able to give me 6 to 10 in a quick minute, and if you think a bit you might hit 18 or so. The computer or app will immediately list 3 to 8 full pages with primary rhymes, and then a page or two of imperfect rhymes, and then switch it to phrases and get several more pages.
So... yeah, there are free online web page writing aids as well as some phone apps. You can also look up MasterWriter and get it. I have that program loaded on my laptop and when I am writing, it's often setting there open and running since I use it to find rhyming words and phrases. More than one time, a word in the rhyme list sparked a new thought and I went back and changed the lead up lines for a whole new twist. MasterWriter has worked just fine for me....and it includes SONGUARD the 3rd party date of origin secure server.
I will use paper and pencil to scribble down an idea or aq line that comes to mind.... but when I write, it's almost always in some form of app or program. I tend to use the lyric document window in BB a lot. It's become my note pad.
And yeah, for the record, I have nothing at all against using a note pad and a pencil to work on lyrics. I have stacks of them.
Herb, since I'm the only "gal" on this thread so far, I'd suggest you re-read what I said and not put words in my mouth. Everybody didn't say what you're implying.
Some of us like the way it feels to write with a pen and paper better than typing and there's nothing wrong with that. When you've been doing it one way for years it's hard to switch. When I use the computer to write I print the lyrics out to have an easy to read hard copy I can scribble on when I'm recording. I also print out a final copy that I keep. So it really doesn't matter if I write the song typing in the computer first or write it in a notebook first. And I plainly said I like online rhyming and thesaurus better - I just use the free ones.
Other than putting words in other people's mouths to make your point - you make some good points. There's nothing wrong with technology or clay tablets if it works for the writer.
Last I checked BIAB doesn't write lyrics for anybody.
Depends on how you write Herb. I write lyrics first. Always. The songs start as text files on my laptop. When they are done enough for music, I move them to the "shared" folder on my network. Then I go up to the studio and open the shared folder from my studio computer and there are my lyrics. Those files stay on that file server computer that lives only for that purpose, to be the shared drive computer. Spreadsheets, pictures, lyric files, correspondence.... they all have a folder on the shared drive. That drive gets backed up often.
But that's just what I do. I can't even envision sitting down with the music side of ti without lyrics in place to guide me into tempo, length of phrases, what kind of cadence the rhythm should play to match the lyrics (that buzz word "prosody" again).... I just can't write lyrics to fit music. I have to write music to fit lyrics.
Or like the old producer said, "You write the words or lyrics first?"
Eddie, I don't think software exists that actually writes lyrics for you....yet. At least none I'm aware of that does. What I know about that's out there - you type your lyrics in and it's supposed to help keeping your lyrics organized, all your drafts together, writing tools, and stuff like contact files, pitching, etc., features for pro songwriters to write and keep track of everything - all in one program. If you check out Master Writer which is the most well known one, you'll see. It's expensive for me and I don't really need all of the features.
What confused me was this:
Quote:
So, what are you all using for lyric writing? And pros or cons you see to your methods?
That made me think he was asking for tools to create the songs, not organize them. That is why my reply was "For writing you use your brain" or however I worded it.
A lot of this likely depends on your nerd level too. Apparently some of these programs have features like a contacts manager, but I just use Microsoft Access for that and keep them in a database (the 3 friends I have are all in there!) I created. My chord charts from RB is screen captured and saved as jpg files in case I have to refer back after moving to Pro Tools. That way I don't have to load RB, deal with the programs fighting over who gets use of the interface...
But again, that's just what I do. And I don't have as many songs to deal with as someone like Notes who once said he has 550 or more. Also he is a very active, very busy performer so he has club contacts, notes about the crowds for each room to tailor a set list, and if I did that the database would include a picture of the mixer so I know how to set things up the next time in. I did that WAY back to the days of Polaroids! When the sound was in the sweet spot, take a Polaroid so we know where to start the next time. Lots of ways to do stuff.
Going to check Master Writer out to see if there is a feature I might want to add to what I do now.
You might have thought I threw rocks at a hornet's nest. Stay Calm and Write Music. That first part was tongue-in-cheek.
Yeah, I could see how that might come across a bit harsh..... it's all intended to be in good fun and by now you should know me a bit better than to take offense to my posts, especially you old timers around here.
I had to go back and re-read my own post. I didn't recall quoting anyone and therefore, I didn't put words into anyone's mouth. I just found it funny that we embrace musical technology for tracking but dismiss using it for lyrics.
The point I was attempting to make was that you shouldn't dismiss technology as a viable means to writing lyrics. Yep...nothing on the market writes lyrics for you, but there's certainly a lot of useful programs and apps to make the work a bit easier.
In the first paragraph past the tongue-in-cheek part ... notice I said this: If you're writing a song and working on lyrics, use whatever resource you have if you get stuck and need some help getting the idea for a new rhyme I went on to say, use a paper rhyming dictionary, which I happen to have on my studio book shelf, or use an electronic version, some of which are free and on-line. Anything you have or need to get the job done.
I find it easy to use the technology that's available. Open the rhyming dictionary and type in the word I need a rhyme for. Beats looking in the Songwriters Rhyming Dictionary in paperback for vowel sounds that might fit.
And yes, I do use pad and pencil from time to time with just an acoustic guitar, to write a song. Most of the time however, I'm setting at the computer, with BB open, my rhyming dictionary open on my laptop, and my acoustic guitar, (or electric guitar) playing and creating as I go, typing lyric ideas into the lyric document window in BB.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I have never used Band In A Box to write a song. I use it to generate tracks to produce songs that are already written... written on paper with a pencil or pen. To capture the melody, I in fact, use an old Sony cassette tape recorder. Credibility comes from actually writing.
"The proof is in the pudding," indeed.
And I bet that old war horse was written with a quill pen
Bud
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Wow! I was surprised at the number of comments to this question coming back from the weekend :-)
I guess to clarify I was just looking to see what people are using for their songwriting as far as lyric apps and programs.
I know there are quite a few out there but I'm not going to pretend I know what they all are. By Nature I always try to look for a better way. I find the shortcut to that is asking people who are doing what you do what they do :-)!
So I got a lot of great information and some things to try here!
As simple as it sounds I never considered a hybrid of Doing lyrics on a computer then also printing them out to be saved and folders!
There were a few other great ideas I got as well.
I thought I saw years ago a program that gave you the number of syllables per line but I don't remember what it would have been. I ended up not downloading it at the time because I didn't know the source it was coming from and I'm always paranoid of things like that.
So I hope that clarifies what I was looking to do. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the input and continue to throw ideas out as I will continue reading and learning from this.
Thanks again you guys and gals are the best!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Writing is easy....pic attached. Some days, I just want to go buy a bowling ball.
I'm open to ALL tools.
I have "The Complete Rhyming Dictionary," (published 1931, rev 1991), and "Barlett's Familiar Quotations," (published 1832, revised 2002...1832..wow). Both are 5 lbs and classics, but I haven't touched them in a couple years, until right now. I use Rhymezone when I'm pressed. And I'm going to check out the site that Bob* (I think) mentioned that drills down a bit more. The names was something-dinosaur-ish (I think).
Of course, it's more satisfying when the muse just drops the whole song on you.
*Corrected - Noel
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra Windows 8 and 10 Scarlet 18i8 Reaper and Mixpad
There's a older free program called VersePerfect. It displays the number of syllables of each line, and displays a list of rhyming words for the word that currently is next to the cursor.
It's got a couple of other neat features, so if you're looking for something that's easy and free, you might consider it. It's got the most self-aggrandizing splash screen I've ever seen, but... free is free.
There's a older free program called VersePerfect. It displays the number of syllables of each line, and displays a list of rhyming words for the word that currently is next to the cursor.
It's got a couple of other neat features, so if you're looking for something that's easy and free, you might consider it. It's got the most self-aggrandizing splash screen I've ever seen, but... free is free.
Awesome! That's the one I was trying to think of! I've never used it, but see a cleverness to it I haven't seen elsewhere.
Thanks!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Thanks! This looks like something that would be fun to play with. The syllable counter is useful & scads of instantly available alternative rhymes a way to break the road blocks that happen... lots of other features I haven`t checked yet.
There's a older free program called VersePerfect. It displays the number of syllables of each line, and displays a list of rhyming words for the word that currently is next to the cursor.
write what's in your head, and heart. Did you ever have a good relationship that went bad?, and all you could do was break it off and still remain friends with this person.
Did you loose someone in your life that was very special to you? I.E. passed away, did you have a burning love for someone who you knew was the right person, but they belonged to someone else? The point is, there are many topics to write about you just have to know where to find them.
I would suggest that you get a book called the craft of Lyric writing there is a book you can read, and a workbook that you can get. Just google it on Amazon or google, or E-Bay. very, very, good.
Oh! and instead of depending on a program to write your lyrics, do it yourself. Like Floyd said, pencil, paper, eraser, etc. This is the very best way to write your lyrics. It will sound much better if it is coming from you yourself.
Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
I use rhymezone and a paperback rhyming dictionary and theasaurus. I am quite keen to try master writer but not sure I can justify the expense with the lack of writing I am doing at the moment
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